Fuel distribution system for internal combustion engines



F. BOGLE Aug. 14, 1962 FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES FIGJ Filed Sept. 2, 1958 INVENTOR FRANK BOGLE ATTORNEY Aug. 14, 1962 F. BUGLE 3,049,111

FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Sept. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRANK BOGLE FIG. 6

I22 I I2 A7TORNEY M %ow@ hired tates Patent @fiee Bflihd ll Patented Aug. 14, 1962 3,049,111 FUEL DISTRBUTKUN SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGlNES Frank Eagle, 3365 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Ga. Filed Sept. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 758,183 11 Claims. (Cl. 123-419) This invention relates to a fuel distribution system for internal combustion engines and especially to a distribution system of this sort wherein the fuel is supplied by injecting at the intake of the cylinder itself. A metering unit controls the supply of fuel to the individual cylinders in response to the demands of the engine itself depending upon the engine load, acceleration and other requirements of the engine.

More particularly, this invention contemplates injecting the fuel through individual intake valves which. employ nozzles constructed by producting small openings around the periphery of the valve seat. In a preferred form, this nozzle construction is achieved by using two flat rings or washers at the valve seat confining a notched shim ring therebetween.

A central metering unit is provided for measuring and controlling the quantity of fuel and pressure delivered at the intake nozzles. This unit has an air duct through which air passes and within said duct is mounted a movable blade which controls a shaft connected with a floating metering plunger within the metering unit. The plunger is mounted in a casing and is resisted by a coil spring.

A gear pump pumps fuel from the metering unit sump into the plunger casing through an annular groove in the plunger and into the inside thereof. An outlet is formed in the upper part of the plunger leading through an annular groove into an outlet tube connected to the individual cylinder fuel supply valves. the plunger has a spill or overflow outlet formed therein adapted to overflow fuel out of the plunger easing at the top thereof back into the sump when the plunger is raised to this point. Accordingly, the plunger floats inside the casing receiving fuel therein and transferring same through the outlet fuel lines, and the plunger is controlled as a valve in its upward and downward movement by the movement of the movable blade in the air duct. A balancing unit is provided within the casing employing a small hollow plunger mounted within a hollow casing. An arm connected with the plunger is interposed between the connection of the metering plunger control shaft to hold same in position and the plunger is connected by suitable valves with both the intake manifold and the atmosphere. As the engine requirements change and the movement of air in the intake change, the balancing unit operates to reduce the pressure in the metering unit and to maintain a constant difference in pressure between the intake manifold (or the intake valve) and the inside of the metering unit. As the fuel requirements vary in the metering unit, the plunger moves between fuel supply and overflow and shutting off of fuel.

Among the objects and advantages of my system is an arrangement whereby the metering of the air and fuel does not place any constriction on the flow of air as in other systems. By playing the stream of air on the blade to produce a torque on the shaft the small change in direction of flow of air is turned to an advantage because it produces air turbulence or it gives the column of air a spiral motion which is desirable in mixing fuel with air.

By injecting fuel at the intake valve port, fuel vapors never come in contact with a cold surface as in the case of manifold injection, as the injection is directly into the combustion chamber. It has the advantage of intermittent injection.

Through the use of the novel shim nozzle arrangement herein, fuel is injected at the intake valve port through The uppermost part of openings formed in the thin shim between two retainer rings thereby presenting a simple inexpensive way of making nozzles.

The depressurized metering unit employed herein has a small difference in pressure between it and the intake valve which permits the use of larger injecting areas. This eliminates the necessity for a high pressure fuel pump to meet fuel demands at top speeds. It also gives better control over the flow of the fuel when the engine is idling.

Also, the intake air passes through the air duct, located quite near the center of the metering unit, and by using the fins in the air duct, the area of surface exposed to the passing air is increased. Since nearly the same area is exposed to the fuel on the inside of the metering unit, the air, not being pre-heated, extracts the heat from the fuel and keeps the fuel cool and free from boiling or vapor looks.

The particular applications of my invention together with other advantages and objects thereof will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the metering unit of my invention mounted on an engine and having a portion of the front broken away exposing the inner metering elements.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the metering unit in FIG. 1 with the top cover removed exposing the metering elements.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional right side elevation view of the metering unit in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the valve detail showing the intake port.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the shim nozzle arrangement detail used in the intake port.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the balance unit moved from its FIG. 3 position.

The system disclosed herein is described hereinafter as it would be used with a conventional internal combustion engine (not shown) having a number of moving pistons connected with a common cam shaft and provided with some type of engine head over the pistons and also with a manifold air induction conduit through which air can travel to each piston. The usual circular valve and valve stem may be used but with a modified nozzle arrangement introduced by this invention. Since these parts of the engine are conventional and vary from one engine to another, no attempt is made here to show the engine details and it will be made apparent in the ensuing description how the metering unit combines into the engine fuel supply, and how the valves operate in the fuel introduction.

In FIG. 1, the metering unit 16 is contained within a fuel casing 12 with closed sides 14, top 16, which can be removed for repair and adjustment, and bottom 18. Mounted within one end of the casing 12 is a conventional liquid gear pump 20 having meshing pump gears shown diagrammatically at 22, 24. Said pump 20 is enclosed within said casing by an inner pump compartment 26. An open inlet 28 is formed in said pump compartment 26 to admit fuel into said pump. An outlet tube 30- leads from said pump 20 into the fuel metering cylinder 32 as described hereinafter.

Mounted in and through said casing 12 is a large air induction conduit or duct 34- With protruding front entrance mouth 36 having a butterfly throttle valve 38 therein. Duct 34 is curved in an elbow shape and leads at the bottom into the manifold intake units 40. Within said duct 34 is an air or blower wheel 42 fixed on a vertical shaft 44 which is mounted through the wall of duct 4 and within the duct 34 on bearing 47.. Air wheel 42 has a cylindrical shell 48 with slanted blades 50 spaced within and to be afiected by air passing thereagainst in 3 such a manner as to cause torque on the wheel 42 to turn the shaft 44. Guide vanes 52 are formed in spaced relation on the inside of the duct 34.

The sides 14, top 16, bottom 18, and the walls of duct 34 define within the casing 12 a fluid tight sump or fuel compartment 54 outside of the gear pump 20 and the duct 34. At one side 14 an open inlet 56 is formed receiving connected thereto a fuel line 58 from the conventional engine fuel pump (not shown). The fuel through this inlet 56 is allowed to spill into the sump 54 to reach a certain level determined by a float 60 mounted pivotally on a float arm 62 pivotally attached to the side wall 14 at pivot 64. Float arm 62 has thereon a conical stopper valve or washer 66 which fits into the spill opening inlet 56 to open and close same in response to the float arm 62 setting.

Within said casing 12 adjacent the fuel pump 20 is the metering cylinder and plunger valve arrangement 32 fixed on a support member 68. A cylinder 70 is fluid tight and has connected thereto leading into the interior thereof in inlet connection 72 receiving the outlet tube 30 from fuel pump 20. The inside of cylinder 7 is bored to receive a piston type plunger or valve 74 closed at the top 76 thereof and provided with a hollow interior 78 through which fuel can pass. Inlet holes 80 are formed in piston plunger 74 from an outside peripheral ring groove 81 into the interior 78 thereof. Similarly, outlet holes 82 are formed therein and when in proper alignment lead to the outlet fuel line 84 through the side wall 14. Fuel line 84 then leads and divides into the separate, individual fuel lines supplying for each manifold fuel injection valve being used. The top of the plunger 74 has overflow or spill holes 86 therein which normally are partly open with the walls of the cylinder 74) but when the plunger 74 moves sufficiently upwardly, become more and more exposed and spill more into the sump 54. Plunger 74 acts on and is balanced with the weight of bar 132 by a spring 88 within the bottom of cylinder 70. A spring 88 within cylinder 70 supports the plunger 74 and balances out its weight and the weight of the members resting on it.

A bell crank 90 is mounted for movement on a {fixed pivot 92 attached to the interior of the casing 12. One arm 94 of the crank 90 is mounted above and adjacent the top 76 of plunger 74 and the other arm 96 of the crank 90 is connected by a toggle connection 97 and member 9 8 with the shaft end 44 so that turning of the shaft 44 moves and actuates the bell crank W.

A safety interlock in the form of a solenoid actuator 100 connects with the ignition switch (not shown) of the automobile to prevent fuel escape when the engine is not in use. A solenoid 102 has a toggle arm 104 therein which is forced against the bell crank arm 96 by a captive spring 106 with washer 108. However, when solenoid 102 is actuated, the spring is pulled inwardly and the force is taken from the arm so that the bell crank 90 is free to move. In operation, ordinarily the force of fuel through line 30 and through the interior 7 8 of cylinder 70 on plunger 74 will drive the plunger 74 upwardly tending to bring the holes 82 out of alignment with the outlet 84 substantially simultaneously therewith opening the spill ports '86 and releasing the pressure within plunger 78. However, the movement of the air through the duct 36 turns the shaft 44 through its action on wheel 42 thereby moving arm 94 against the top of plunger tending to push same downwardly to resist the upward movement from the fuel supplied through line 30-. Thus, plunger 74 is a fuel valve to the engine.

In order to reduce the pressure in the metering unit and to maintain a constant datum or reference pressure differential between the intake manifold (or at the intake valve) a balance control device 112 is provided in the casing 1 2. A cylindrical casing 114 with hollow interior bore 116 is attached on the top 16. Through the closed top 118 of casing 114 passes a control plunger rod 120 which protrudes into the interior 116 of the casing. The bottom of cylinder 1 14 is closed by a movable hollow piston 122 with a peripheral groove 123 leading to inlet 124 through the side thereof into the interior thereof and therefore into the interior 116 of cylinder 114. An air line 1 26 connects the outside of casing 12 through the wall of cylinder 1114. An opening 128 just above line 126 opens the inside of cylinder 114 to the inside of casing 12 and a second opening 129 on the cylinder wall does the same. A circumferential, peripheral groove 130 in the side of plunger piston 122 will align air line 1 26 with opening 128 thereby leading outside air into the inside of casing 12 at one position thereof and in the up position thereof, shutting off line 126 and thereafter bringing opening 129 in alignment with opening inlet 124 connecting the interior of casing 12 with the interior of cylinder 114. A suction line 131 leads from the very top of the inside of cylinder 112 to the interior of the duct 36. The bottom of piston 122 is connected loosely by a meter arm 13 2 which rests on the top 76 of plunger 74 and pivotally connects to casing 12 at pivot 134. Rod '12() is connected to a thermostat within the automobile (not shown) which thermostat holds the rod down until the engine warms up. Until the engine is warm, plunger 74 is prevented from moving upwardly and therefore an ample supply of fuel is assured.

Cold Starting To start the engine the ignition and starter switch is turned on thereby energizing the solenoid 102 to release the bell crank for movement. The vacuum in the duct 36 passing through pipe 131 will pull the piston 122 upward thereby aligning the vacuum port 129 and reducing the pressure in the metering unit. Simultaneously through bar 132, plunger 74 is held in upward position until the required pressure differential is reached in the metering unit. Then as the piston 122 moves to a neutral position, ports 82 will be aligned with fuel line 84 and will leave spill ports 86 partly open through which the fuel may enter. The thermostat (not shown) depresses the rod which exerts a light pressure on the spring 13 3 and then on the piston 122 thereby increasing the difference in pressure between the intake manifold and in the metering unit. This increase in pressure differential will produce a richer mixture. As a motor and the thermostat warm up, this difference in pressure of the thermostat on the rod 120 will decrease until it becomes zero.

When the butterfly valve 38 is open or partly open, the air will come into the duct 36 and impinge on the vanes and blades 50 of the wheel 42 thereby producing a torque in the shaft 44. This torque is resisted by the arm 90 and parts 97, 9 8 and the plunger 74. The force from hell crank 90 on the plunger 74 must be held in equilibrium by the force that the fuel exerts on the plunger 74. 'Fuel is delivered to the plunger 74 under pressure by the fuel pump 20. To accelerate, throttle 38 is opened thereby admitting more air through duct 34 causing more air to impinge on vanes 50 which causes more torque on shaft 44. The added torque of shaft 44 moves bell crank downwardly on plunger 74 thereby further closing the spill ports 86 to increase the pressure inside the plunger 74 which delivers more fuel through line 84.

Using the torque amount exerted on the shaft 44 for a given wheel 42 and at a given angle of vanes 50 in the wheel, the volume of air that flows through the air duct can readily be determined. By knowing the ratio of fuel to air by weight, the proper amount of fuel can be admitted by controlling the pressure under which the fuel is delivered through the fuel line 84 to the intake valve.

Intake Valve The type of valve arrangement preferred in this fuel distribution system employs a special modified type of valve seat. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the nozzle is constructed in the annular seat 141 of the valve 142 by confining a flat, metal shim, open ring 144 having notches 14 5 and being confined between a pair of flat, plain metal Washers or rings 146, 148 which are screwed to the valve seat 141 by screws 150. An intake fuel line 152 from the fuel line 84 connects through the engine block into an opening 154 leading through the top ring 1 -56 downwardly into the shim 144. According to this arrangement, the nozzle 140 consists of plurality of extremely thin openings between rings 146, 148 and fuel forced thereinto is sepa rated into a very thin film of only .0005 to 0.001 of an inch or thereabouts which will be forced into path of air and will vaporize instantly, lowering the temperature of the incoming air and increasing the volumetric efficiency of the cylinder.

When the fuel enters through line 152, it is transferred through grooves in rings 146, 148 to the nozzles 145' as a thin film of fuel and not as a jet stream of fuel. Therefore, the fuel will vaporize much quicker than if it were introduced as a stream. Also, the film of fuel is spread around the outer periphery of the valve and therefore is more effectively introduced into the air stream. The groove 148 will retain grit and solid particles With the arrangement of many nozzles 145 in the same valve periphery a much greater exposure of fuel in a thin sheet is provided in relation with the amount of air and therefore a much lower pressure is required to introduce and vaporize the fuel than is possible with other well known fuel injection systems which employ a jet stream.

The nozzles 145 do not have to be precision made like conventional high pressure nozzles.

Balanced Operation Once the cold starting period of operation is over and the engine warms to operating temperature, as explained above, the balanced fuel distribution takes place. The function of the balance control device valve 112 is to reduce the pressure in the metering unit and to maintain a small difference of pressure between the intake manifold (or at the intake valve) and the inside of the metering unit as would be required for idlings without flooding. This is accomplished in the following manner: When the engine is started, a vacuum in the intake manifold acts on the piston 122 and raises the piston 122 aligning the vacuum ports 124, 129 (FIG. 6) and reducing the pressure in the metering unit. When the difference in pressure is equal to the weight of the piston 122 plus the force exerted on the piston by the spring 133 the piston 122 starts downwardly to the neutral position, or the piston 122 may move down far enough to align the port 130 exposed to the atmosphere (FIG. 3 position) thereby equalizing the desired difference in pressure.

When the pressure difference between the intake manifold and the atmosphere is not sufficient to supply the proper amount of fuel (as would occur with a partly open or wide open throttle) then the gear pump 20 affects the fuel flow. The gear pump 20 is driven at something less than engine speed (one-half in some cases) and has the capacity of delivering twice the amount of fuel required at top speed.

Fuel is delivered from the gear fuel pump 20 to the plunger 74 by the conduit 30. The supply ports 78 are always aligned for any position (up or down) of the plunger so that when the butterfly valve 38 is closed, then the torque on the shaft 44- becomes zero; the pressure of the bellcrank 90, arm 94 becomes zero; and the fuel pressure from the gear pump forces the plunger 74 up shutting off the fuel supply to the feed line 84 thereby opening the discharge ports 86 in the plunger to the metering unit. Simultaneously, bar 132 is raised by plunger 74 causing piston 122 to move upwardly thereby aligning the vacuum ports 124, 129 and holding the bar 132 and the plunger '74 up until pushed down by the bellcrank 90. Therefore, when the engine is driven by the vehicle (as when coasting) the fuel supply to the motor is shut 05?.

While I have shown and described in detail one preferred form of my invention, this is by way of illustration only and is in no way to be treated as any limitation on my invention since various changes, alterations, modifications, substitutions, eliminations and variations may be effected therein without departing from the scope of my invention defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel delivery ports associated therewith, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake therein connected with said fuel delivery ports, means in said air intake responsive to the movement of air to change position therein, a fuel metering element on said central fuel metering unit having a fuel inlet therein, a fuel outlet associated with said metering unit for delivering fuel to said engine delivery ports, fuel control means in said metering element controlling the amount of fuel delivered to said fuel outlet, and control means on said metering and control unit operable by said means in said air intake to control said fuel control means in said metering unit in response to the change of air in said air intake, a balancing unit with said metering unit, a balancing valve in said balancing unit and connected in one position thereof with the vacuum from said engine to unbalance said metering unit pressure, said valve being operable to the outside pressure in another position thereof to continue said imbalance when said vacuum approaches ineffectiveness, and said suction from said engine continuing to unbalance the pressure.

2. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel intake delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through which air is drawn into said engine, an air responsive member movably mounted in said air intake for movement by air therein, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit having fuel contained therein, pump means for pumping fuel from said container and having fuel outlet means therewith, a metering valve mounted on said metering and control unit and having a fuel inlet means in communication with fuel delivered from said outlet of said pump, means operable with said valve in response to movement of said air responsive member to actuate said valve in one position of movement to open said valve for more fuel delivery to said engine and to resist movement of said valve in the other direction of movement thereof, said valve being in fuel delivery communication with fuel outlet means to each of said individual engine fuel intake delivery ports, fuel return means on said valve actuable by said valve to return excess fuel to said metering unit fuel container in re sponse to lower fuel demand indicated by said air responsive member, said valve normally receiving a con tinuous flow and supply of fuel therein and transferring same through the fuel outlet means with excess fuel simultaneously being returned to the fuel container, in response to the movement of the air responsive member, and a balancing unit on said metering unit for maintaining a pressure difference between said unit and said fuel intake in the engine, a valve member in said balancing unit responsive to suction in said air intake to maintain fuel flow where there is little air flow.

3. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through which air is drawn into said engine an air responsive member movably mounted in said air intake for movement by air therein, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit adapted to have fuel contained therein, a pump means having a fuel intake therewith from said fuel container, a fuel outlet on said fuel pump means, a metering cylinder mounted on said metering unit in substantially upright position and having an open top, an open inlet formed therein from said pump outlet and an open outlet formed therein and connected with said fuel delivery ports in said engine, a hollow metering plunger positioned for movement in said cylinder, a spring supporting said metering plunger in said cylinder, an inlet formed in said plunger to the interior thereof and in communication with said inlet in said cylinder, an outlet formed in said plunger from the interior thereof and in certain positions being in communication with the outlet from said cylinder to the fuel delivery, an overflow outlet formed in said plunger adjacent the top thereof and in certain positions being in communication with said open top of said cylinder, control means operable by said air responsive means and being in engagement with the top of said plunger to selectively push same in or out of said cylinder thereby to bring said outlet openings and overflow openings selectively more or less in communication, the fuel from said pump filling said plunger and flowing from said outlet therein with excess flowing from said overflow and said plunger moving in response to said control means to increase the outlet opening between said cylinder and plunger in response to the movement of said air responsive member to control said fuel supply.

4. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel intake delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through which air is drawn into said engine, an air responsive member movably mounted in said air intake for movement by air therein, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit adapted to have fuel contained therein, pump means for pumping fuel from said container and having fuel outlet means therewith, a floating metering valve mounted on said metering and control unit and having a fuel inlet means in communication with fuel delivered from said outlet of said pump, means operable with said valve in response to movement of said air responsive member to actuate said valve in one of two directions of movement to open said valve for more fuel delivery to said engine and to resist movement of said valve in the other direction of movement thereof, said valve being in fuel delivery communication with fuel outlet means to each of said individual engine fuel intake ports, means urging said floating valve to normal position, fuel return means on said valve actua'ble by said valve to return excess fuel to said metering unit fuel container in response to lower fuel demand indicated by said air responsive member, said valve normally receiving a continuous flow and supply of fuel therein and transferring same through the fuel outlet means with excess fuel simultaneously being returned to the fuel container, in response to the movement of the air responsive member, and a balancing means on said metering unit for maintaining a pressure difference between said unit and said fuel intake in the engine, a valve means in said balancing unit open in one direction to the suction from said engine through said air intake.

5. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel intake delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through which air is drawn into said engine, an air responsive member movably mounted in said air intake for movement by air therein, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit having fuel contained therein, pump means for pumping fuel from said container and having fuel outlet means therewith, a metering valve mounted on said metering and control unit and having a fuel inlet means in communication with fuel delivered from said outlet of said pump, means operable with said valve in response to movement of said air responsive member to actuate said valve in one of two actions of movement to open said valve for more fuel delivery to said engine and to resist movement of said valve in the other direction of movement thereof, said valve being in fuel delivery communication with fuel outlet means to each of said individual engine fuel intake ports, fuel return means on said valve actuable by said valve to return excess fuel to said metering unit fuel container in response to lower fuel demands indicated by said air responsive members, said valve normally receiving a continuous flow and supply of fuel therein and transferring same through the fuel outlet means with excess fuel simultaneously being returned to the fuel container, in response to the movement of the air responsive member, a balancing unit on said metering unit for maintaining a pressure difference between said unit and said fuel intake in the engine, a valve member in said balancing unit open in one direction to thesuction from said engine through said air intake, said valve member being opened to the atmosphere in response to movement to the suction effect, whereby when there is insufficient air moving through said air responsive member said balancing valve operates between suction balance and atmospheric balance to maintain a pressure difference between said metering unit and said engine intake valves.

6. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel inake delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through Which air is drawn into said engine, an air responsive member movably mounted in said air intake for movement by air therein, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit adapted to have fuel contained therein, pump means for pumping fuel from said container and having fuel outlet means therewith, a metering valve unit mounted on said metering and control unit and having a valve casing with a floating valve plunger therein, a fuel inlet means in communication with said floating plunger to receive fuel delivered from said outlet of said pump, means operable with said valve floating in response to movement of said air responsive member to actuate said floating valve in one of two directions of movement to open said valve for more fuel delivery to said engine and to resist movement of said valve in the other direction of movement thereof, said valve being in fuel delivery communication with fuel outlet means to each of said individual engine fuel intake delivery ports, resilient means operable with said valve to balance said valve actuation means to return excess fuel to said metering unit ports, fuel return means on said valve actuable by said valve to fuel container in response to lower fuel demands indicated by said air responsive member, said valve normally receiving a continuous flow and supply of fuel therein and transferring same against said plunger through the fuel outlet means with excess fuel simultaneously being returned to the fuel container, in response to the movement of the air responsive member, a balancing unit on said metering unit for maintaining a pressure difference between said unit and said fuel intake in the engine, a valve member in said balancing unit open in one direction to the suction from said engine through said air intake, said valve being opened to the atmosphere in responsive movement to the suction effect in said air intake, and means operable by said balancing valve to balance said suction by atmospheric pressure thereby maintaining a pressure differential between said metering unit and said engine intake when there is little air moving through said air intake occur during idling operation.

7. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto controlled by a throttle control, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through which air is drawn into said engine,

a shaft mounted in said air intake, a blade mounted on said shaft movable in response to the air passing thereagainst, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit adapted to have fuel contained therein, a pump mounted on said fuel metering unit having a fuel intake therewith from said fuel container, a fuel outlet on said fuel pump, a meten'ng cylinder mounted on said metering unit in substantially upright position and having an open top, an open inlet formed therein from said pump outlet and having an open outlet formed therein and connected with said fuel delivery ports in said engine, a hollow metering plunger positioned for movement in said cylinder, a spring supporting said metering plunger in said cylinder, an inlet formed in said plunger to the interior thereof and in communication with said inlet in said cylinder, an outlet formed in said plunger from the interior thereof and in certain positions being in communication with the outlet from said cylinder to the fuel delivery, an overflow outlet formed in said plunger adjacent the top thereof and in certain positions being in communication with said open top of said cylinder, a shifting rod mounted on said shaft, a bell crank lever mounted on said unit and having one arm thereof connected with said shifting rod, the other arm of said bell crank being in engagement with the top of said plunger to selectively push same in or out of said cylinder thereby to bring said outlet openings and overflow openings selectively more or less in communication, the fuel from said pump =filling said plunger and flowing from said outlet therein with excess flowing from said overflow and said plunger moving to increase the outlet opening between said cylinder and plunger in response to the movement of said bell crank operated by said air movement and to increase said overflow in response to a decrease in air movement thereby supplying more fuel when demand is made and less fuel when indicated by said operating conditions, and a fuel balancing means responsive to a vacuum in said air intake to maintain a difference in pressure between said metering unit and said engine intake valves thereby supplying fuel when there is little demand for same and without oversupplyin-g the fuel to the engine.

8. The device in claim 7 wherein said fuel balancing unit has a balancing fuel valve member therein, a suction conduit from said air intake to said balancing fuel valve member to move same in one direction in response to the vacuum in said air intake, and an outlet conduit connection to the atmosphere to balance said vacuum to maintain a difference in pressure between said metering unit and said intake valve in said engine.

9. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel intake delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through 'which air is drawn into said engine, an air responsive member movably mounted in said air intake for movement by air therein, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit adapted to have fuel contained therein, pump means for pumping fuel from said container and having fuel outlet means therewith, a metering valve mounted on said metering and control unit having an inlet which receives fuel from said pump means outlet, said metering valve having fuel outlet means for delivering fuel to said engine intake ports and having fuel return means for returning fuel from said valve to said fuel container, said valve being operable to increase said fuel supply through said outlet and to diminish said fuel returned through said fuel return and vice versa thereby supplying more or less fuel to said engine, control means operable by said air responsive member and engageable with said metering valve selectively to move said valve selectively to increase said fuel supply in response to a larger movement of air and to decrease when said air movement decreases, said valve thereby being actuated to decrease said fuel return in response to more air movement and to decrease said overflow in response to a decrease in air movement thereby supplying more fuel When demand is made and less fuel when indicated, a fuel balancing unit mounted on said metering unit comprising a hollow cylinder mounted substantially upright Within said closed fuel area and having an atmosphere inlet and a vacuum outlet formed therein, a hollow plunger mounted in said cylinder and having an atmosphere inlet to the interior thereof and a vacuum outlet from the interior thereof, a vacuum line to said interior of the plunger from said air supply, said plunger being movable in said cylinder from a position where said vacuum ports align to the inside of said fuel area thereby bringing said vacuum ports into communication with said vacuum from said air supply and to other positions where said vacuum ports are closed from each other and to a position where atmosphere is admitted into said plunger and into said fuel area, a connecting member pivotally connected with said balancing plunger and on said unit and having a portion thereof engaging said metering plunger tending to hold same in more return and less fuel supply position when there is little air moving through said air supply thereby maintaining a difference in pressure between said metering unit and said engine intake, said fuel balancing unit thereby supplying fuel to said engine when there is little demand and little m'r moving through said air intake, said metering plunger controlling the supply of fuel to said engine in response to the movement of air through said air intake to supply more or less fuel as demanded by said engine in response to throttle operation.

10. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto, controlled by a throttle control, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through which air is drawn into said engine, a shaft mounted in said air intake, a blade mounted on said shaft movable in response to the air passing thereagainst, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit adapted to have fuel contained therein, a pump mounted on said fuel metering unit having a fuel intake therewith from said fuel container, a fuel outlet on said fuel pump, a metering cylinder mounted on said metering unit in substantially upright position and having an open top, an open inlet formed therein from said pump outlet and an open outlet formed therein and connected with said fuel delivery ports in said engine, a hollow metering plunger positioned for movement in said cylinder, a spring supporting said metering plunger in said cylinder, an inlet formed in said plunger to the interior thereof and in communication with said inlet in said cylinder, an outlet formed in said plunger from the interior thereof and in certain positions being in communication with the out let from said cylinder to the fuel delivery, an overflow outlet formed in said plunger adjacent the top thereof and in certain positions being in communication with said open top of said cylinder, a shifting rod mounted on said shaft, a bell crank lever mounted on said unit and having one arm thereof connected with said shifting rod, the other arm of said bell crank being in engagement with the top of said plunger to selectively push same in or out of said cylinder thereby to bring said outlet openings and overflow openings selectively more or less in communication, the fuel from said pump filling said plunger and flowing from said outlet therein with excess flowing from said overflow and said plunger moving to increase the outlet opening between said cylinder and plunger in response to the movement of said bell crank operated by said air movement and to increase said overflow in response to a decrease in air movement thereby supplying more fuel when demand is made and less fuel when indicated, a fuel balancing unit mounted on said metering unit comprising a hollow cylinder mounted substantially upright within said closed fuel area and having an atmosl l phere inlet and a vacuum outlet formed therein, a hollow plunger mounted in said cylinder and having an atmosphere inlet to the interior thereof and a vacuum outlet from the interior thereof, a vacuum line to said interior of the plunger from said air supply, said plunger being movable in said cylinder from a position where said vacuum ports align to the inside of said fuel area thereby bringing said vacuum ports into communication with said vacuum from said air supply and to other positions where said vacuum ports are closed from each other and to a position where atmosphere is admitted into said plunger and into said fuel area, a connecting member pivotally connected with said plunger and on said unit and having a portion thereof interposed between said bell crank and engaging said metering plunger tending to hold same in more overflow and less fuel supply position when there is little air moving through said air supply thereby maintaining a difference in pressure between said metering unit and said engine intake, said fuel balancing unit thereby supplying fuel to said engine when there is little demand and little air moving through said air intake, said metering plunger controlling the supply of fuel to said engine in response to the movement of air through said air intake to supply more or less fuel as demanded by said engine in response to throttle operation.

11. In a fuel distribution system for an internal combustion engine wherein there are a number of cylinders with individual fuel delivery ports associated therewith receiving fuel delivered thereto controlled by a throttle, a central fuel metering and control unit having an air intake through which air is drawn into said engine, a shaft mounted in said air intake, a blade mounted on said shaft movable in response to the air passing thereagainst, a fuel container formed on said fuel metering unit adapted to have fuel contained therein, a pump mounted on said fuel metering unit having a fuel intake therewith from said fuel container, a fuel outlet on said fuel pump, a metering cylinder mounted on said metering unit in substantially upright position and having an open top, an open inlet formed therein from said pump outlet and an open outlet formed therein and connected with said fuel delivery ports in said engine, a hollow metering plunger positioned for movement in said cylinder, a spring supporting said metering plunger in said cylinder, an inlet formed in said plunger to the interior thereof and in communication with said inlet in said cylinder, an outlet formed in said plunger from the interior thereof and in certain positions being in communication with the outlet from said cylinder to the fuel delivery, an overflow outlet formed in said plunger adjacent the top thereof and in certain positions being in communication with said open top of said cylinder, a shifting rod mounted on said shaft, a bell crank lever mounted on 12 said unit and having one arm thereof connected withsaid shifting rod, the other arm of said bell crank'being in engagement with the top of said plunger to selectively push same in or out of said cylinder thereby to bring said outlet openings and overflow openings selectively more or less in communication, the fuel from said pump filling said plunger and flowing from said outlet therein with excess flowing from said overflow and said plunger moving to increase the outlet opening between said cylinder and plunger in response to the movement of said bell crank operated by said air movement and to increase said overflow in response to a decrease in air movement thereby supplying more fuel when demand is made and less fuel when indicated, a fuel balancing unit mounted on said metering unit comprising a, hollow cylinder mounted substantially upright within said closed fuel area and having an atmosphere inlet and vacuum outlet formed therein, a hollow plunger mounted in said cylinder and having an atmosphere inlet to the interior thereof and a vacuum outlet from the interior thereof, a vacuum line to said interior of the plunger from said air intake, said plunger being movable in said cylinder from a position where said vacuum ports align to the inside of said fuel area thereby bringing said vacuum ports into communication with said vacuum from said air intake and to other positions where said vacuum ports are closed from each other and to a position where atmosphere is admitted into said plunger and into said fuel area, a connecting member pivotally connected with said balancing plunger and on said unit and having a portion thereof interposed between said bell crank and engaging said metering plunger tending to hold same in more overflow and less fuel supply position when there is little air moving through said air supply thereby maintaining a difference in pressure between said metering unit and said engine intake, said fuel balancing unit thereby supplying fuel to said engine when there is little demand and little air moving through said air intake, said metering plunger controlling the supply of fuel to said engine in response to the movement of air through said air intake to supply more or less fuel as demanded by said engine in response to throttle ope-ration.

4 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 974,853 Bock Nov. 8, 1910 1,034,273 Metcalfe July 30, 1912 1,931,541 Hesselman Oct. 24, 1933 1,931,542 Hesselman Oct. 24, 1933 2,387,277 LOrange Oct. 23, 1945 2,827,030 Strurnbos Mar. 18, 1958 2,876,755 Gold Mar. 10, 1959 2,884,918 Klug May 5,1959 

